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Massoud Rajavi

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Massoud Rajavi and Hussein

Massoud Rajavi (Persian: مسعود رجوی) is the leader of People's Mujahedin of Iran (MKO), a militant opposition organization active outside of Iran.

Rajavi was in prison during the Shah's rule and was only released shortly before the 1979 Iranian Revolution. He had hoped that his organization would get an share of power after the overthrow of the Shah, but that did not happened. Gradually after the Revolution, he went to the opposition and finally declared war to the Iranian revolutionary regime. As a result, his organization came under fire and he and many of his supporters escaped the country. They first established themselves in France, but later moved to Iraq and set up a base on the Iran-Iraq border in 1986. Most Iranians consider Massoud Rajavi and his organization (MKO) as traitors, because of their presence in Iraq and alleged assistance to Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq War. There are however discussions on whether or not he sided with Saddam Hussein in that war.

The US State Department as well as the European Union classify MKO as a terrorist organization. Increasing numbers of MKO members are starting to return to Iran and are claiming asylum.

Massoud Rajavi disappeared following the American occupation of Iraq, and is presumed to be either dead or in hiding. Since that time, his wife Maryam Rajavi has assumed his responsibilities as leader of the MKO.

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